^w^ Skates, rays, and sharks are all part of the scientific group known as elasmobranchs.
^w^ There are about 480 different species of skates and rays, and they come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes.
^w^ The major difference between the skates, rays and the sharks is their body shape. Skates and rays can be thought of as flat, disc-shaped sharks.
^w^ Although all skates and rays have internal fertilization, only rays give birth to fully formed young. Skates lay fertilized eggs, each in a leathery case.
^w^ Skates have claw like spines along the middle of their back and tail, around the eyes, and on the edge of the disc shaped body. Exclusive to skates are the electrical organs along the sides of the tail.
^w^ Rays have a smooth back and disc. Stingrays resemble skates in shape but the tail is more slender.
